Method and apparatus for corneal shrinkage using a plurality of electrodes

Abstract

A device for reshaping the cornea to correct the refractive error thereof. A first electrode is adapted to be heated and inserted into the corneal stroma of the eye, thereby reshaping a portion of the cornea. A second electrode is adapted to be heated and inserted into the corneal stroma of the eye, thereby reshaping a portion of the cornea. A member couples the first and the second electrodes together, allowing for change of the refractive power of the cornea, while avoiding irregular shrinkage of the corneal tissue.

1. A device for reshaping the cornea to correct the refractive error thereof, the device comprising:
 a first electrode adapted to be heated and inserted into the corneal stroma of the eye without passing through the endothelium, thereby reshaping a portion of the cornea; 
 a second electrode adapted to be heated and inserted into the corneal stroma of the eye without passing through the endothelium, thereby reshaping a portion of the cornea; 
 a plate coupling the first and the second electrodes together, said plate adapted to be curved such that it can substantially conform to the natural curvature of the cornea; and 
 a power source for supplying electricity to said first and second electrodes, wherein said electricity is adapted to pass from said first electrode through at least a portion of the corneal stroma and to said second electrode, wherein the power source is programmed to supply electricity to heat at least the portion of the corneal stroma substantially without damaging the Bowman' layer at least partly using the first or the second electrode. 
 
     
     
       2. A device for reshaping the cornea according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said plate is a substantially ring-shaped plate. 
 
     
     
       3. A device for reshaping the cornea according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said plate is a substantially arcuate shaped plate. 
 
     
     
       4. A device for reshaping the cornea according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said first and second electrodes are substantially the same lengths, so that they are inserted into the cornea of the eye at substantially the same time. 
 
     
     
       5. A device for reshaping the cornea according to  claim 1 , further including
 third and fourth electrodes coupled to said plate, said third and fourth electrodes adapted to be heated and inserted into the cornea of the eye. 
 
     
     
       6. A device for reshaping the cornea according to  claim 5 , wherein
 said first, second, third and fourth electrodes form two rows of electrodes. 
 
     
     
       7. A device for reshaping the cornea according to  claim 5 , wherein
 said plate is a substantially ring-shaped plate; and 
 said first, second, third and fourth electrodes are equally spaced about the center of said plate. 
 
     
     
       8. A device for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye, comprising:
 a first electrode having a first electrical pole adapted to be inserted into the corneal stroma without passing through the endothelium; 
 a second electrode having a second electrical pole, opposite said first electrical pole, and adapted to be inserted into the corneal stroma without passing through the endothelium, and coupled to said first electrode, so that when a portion of said first electrode is inserted into the cornea, a portion of said second electrode is inserted into the corneal stroma; 
 a member coupling said first electrode to said second electrode, said member configured such that it can substantially conform to the natural curvature of the cornea; and 
 a power source for supplying electricity to said first and second electrodes, wherein said electricity passes from said first electrode through said cornea and to said second electrode, wherein the power source is programmed to supply electricity substantially without killing the cells of the portion of the corneal stroma. 
 
     
     
       9. A device for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye according to  claim 8 , and further including
 at least eight additional electrodes. 
 
     
     
       10. A device for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said electrodes form a ring. 
 
     
     
       11. A device for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said electrodes are positioned relative to each other, such that they form an arc. 
 
     
     
       12. A device for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said electrodes are positioned to form at least two rows. 
 
     
     
       13. A device for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye according to  claim 9 , wherein
 said at least ten electrodes are positioned to form at least four columns, each column positioned equidistant from each adjacent column. 
 
     
     
       14. A device for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye according to  claim 9 , further including
 a device to monitor the temperature of the electrodes and control the electricity that passes therethrough. 
 
     
     
       15. A device for reshaping the cornea to correct the refractive error thereof, the device comprising:
 a first electrode adapted to be heated and inserted into the corneal stroma of the eye without passing through the endothelium, thereby reshaping a portion of the cornea; 
 a second electrode adapted to be heated and inserted into the corneal stroma of the eye without passing through the endothelium, thereby reshaping a portion of the cornea; 
 a plate coupling the first and the second electrodes together, said plate adapted to be curved such that it can substantially conform to the natural curvature of the cornea; and 
 a power source for supplying electricity to said first and second electrodes, wherein said electricity is adapted to pass from said first electrode through at least a portion of the corneal stroma and to said second electrode, wherein the power source is programmed to supply electricity to heat said first and second electrodes without killing a substantial number of cells of the corneal epithelium.